Study Abroad Program Overview

Overview

By studying in
Jordan, you will develop greater insight into the Middle East, and
have a truly unique Jordanian experience through intensive Arabic language
training, a challenging academic program, and a variety of cultural activities
and excursions.

Jordan’s political
agility and skilled diplomacy has made it a stabilizing force in the region and
an ideal setting to improve your Arabic while taking a focused look at
diplomacy, policy studies, and international affairs in the Middle East.

You have the
opportunity to enroll in intensive Arabic language training; enjoy coursework
taught by professors and professionals from the University of Jordan;
take part in an internship with local government ministries, agencies, and
international organizations. Studying abroad in Amman offers you unparalleled
insight into Middle Eastern diplomacy and a truly unique intercultural
experience.

Study abroad in Jordan
and you will:

·Learn about
international relations, political science, and economics with a Middle Eastern
and Jordanian focus

·Improve your Arabic
language skills through coursework in both Modern Standard Arabic and
Colloquial Jordanian Arabic

Choose from a variety of area studies courses taught in English and learn about political and cultural issues from guest lecturers. You can choose from a number of electives including international relations, domestic policies, gender and politics, regional conflict management, and economic and social development.​

Interact with local university students and improve your Arabic through a peer tutor program and target language clubs

Visit important archaeological and natural sites in Jordan including Petra, the Dead Sea, or biblical sites

·Take part in an
optional internship at a local or international development organization

Language faculty is drawn from the University of Jordan to provide students a comprehensive curriculum focusing on four skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. Students also have regular instruction in colloquial Jordanian Arabic in order to enhance their communication skills while in Jordan.

Orientation in Amman: The CIEE orientation provides an introduction
to the culture of Jordan and the survival skills you will need to enjoy both
your homestay and your classes.You must arrive no later than the official
arrival date and attend all orientation events and activities. Late arrivals cannot be approved.

The program is open to
all majors.​

​​​​

Students attend classes with international students.

Language of Instruction

Arabic; English

LanguageOfInstructionText

Language Study

Arabic

LanguageOfStudyText

Duration

Duration-Main

​

For more details, go to the Participants section to see current or past calendars.

Fall :

​Late August to mid-December

Spring :

​Late January to mid-May

:

Duration-Text1

:

Duration-Text2

:

Duration-Text3

:

Duration-Text4

:

Duration-Text5

:

Duration-Text6

:

Duration-Text7

​​

:

Duration-Text8

InfoBox2

Housing

Housing

​

You may stay in an apartment with other CIEE program participants or choose the homestay experience. Homestays are arranged with local host families who will be carefully matched with you based on your answers in the CIEE housing survey. A homestay contributes to your immersion in the culture, giving you a glimpse into the center of Jordanian society and offering the generosity of a Jordanian family.

Extracurricular Activities

ExtracurricularActivities

​

The program includes a series of required and optional cultural activities and field trips in and around Amman. CIEE residential staff keeps students apprised of special events at the University of Jordan, as well as cultural events such as films and concerts occurring in Amman.

Students typically participate in group trips to Petra and Wadi Rum, and have the option of participating in a number of other day trips planned throughout their time in Jordan. Trips and cultural events provide students with an opportunity to appreciate Jordan’s rich cultural history. UCEAP students are encouraged to take part in as many optional activities as possible to gain a broad and informed understanding of their host country.

A highlight of the program is the week-long group trip to rural Jordan, either in the north or south, with program instructors. Students have the opportunity to meet and interact with rural Jordanian families, and to participate in community service work. Students enjoy an integrated, but informal learning environment as they continue coursework during the trip.

You may choose from a variety of volunteer activities. Among the opportunities available, there is a large demand from schools, NGOs, and local community groups for native English speakers who can assist in English language instruction and translation. Volunteer work does not earn academic credit.

On-site Support

On-Site Support

UCEAP students are supported by UC's network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with UCEAP host universities throughout the world. Local CIEE staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of Jordan and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.

InfoBox3

Course Opportunities

Course Opportunities

The Middle East Studies program offers you Arabic language courses and a series of specially designed area study courses. Study international relations, diplomacy, and the economic and social development of Jordan and the wider Middle East. Explore issues related to gender and politics, environmental studies, and religion, and take courses on Arabic literature and history. You may also choose to add a credit-bearing internship to your course work.

You can select two area studies courses from those offered at the CIEE study center. Special guest lectures by government officials, diplomats, and local experts bring current issues directly into the classroom. A full course load is considered four courses.

In order to appreciate and integrate into Amman society, the program requires that you take both Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Jordanian Arabic. You are placed in courses appropriate to your level and there are no language prerequisites. Sign up to be a language peer with a local Jordanian student and significantly improve your Arabic while making a local friend.

CIEE recruits peer language tutors from the Department of Arabic at the University of Jordan. You are encouraged to meet with your language partners for up to three hours per week to practice conversation, explore the University, and expand your understanding of the host culture.

This program provides unique opportunities to learn about Jordanian culture. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills, including Arabic calligraphy, folk dancing, and Jordanian cooking.

Below is an outline of the structure of the program (CIEE provides full syllabi for their courses. Scroll down to the section titled "Curriculum" or review the syllabi database.):

​This program is affiliated with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).

Units

Units

Students must take 22.5 quarter/15 semester UC units on this program; 4 courses. ​​

Research and Independent Study

Internships, Research & Independent Study

Research and independent study are not possible through this program. ​

HostInstitutionsContent

​CIEE Study Center

Your courses are taught at the CIEE Study Center (Khalifeh Study Center) with other US students. The Study Center is located in one of the older core neighborhoods near Princess Sumaya University of Technology (PSUT). Students who elect to take a course at PSUT will have the opportunity to experience the Jordanian education system and to take courses with Jordanian and international students.

CIEE provides a wide range of student support services and options for cultural integration. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local community through planned activities and events. You also have easy access to a variety of academic and cultural institutions such as PSUT.

Test Drive Your Future

Internships abroad are a great way to enhance your resume for today’s competitive job market. Stand out from your peers, gain hands-on experience, and develop your global professional network.

You can intern with a government agency, or a local or international NGO or business.

Past students have interned at the following organizations:

Eco-Peace

The Collateral Repair Project

The Business Development Center

The American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan

The Jesuit Refugee Service

USAID

Setting Up Your Internship

You submit your resume and home institution approval during the program application process.You must be enrolled in the INSH 3001 Organizational Internship course.

Additional Information

You are placed in a pre-screened internship with a local or international development organization.

You record your internship experiences in a journal, which is evaluated monthly during the internship, and you complete a final research paper that uses your experience at the organization to make inferences about issues in the region.

You meet for weekly seminars and complete an assigned reading list.

The internship course counts as one of the two elective courses and earns 4.5 UC quarter units (3 UC semester units).

EstimatedCost

Estimated EAP Costs *

Option

Weeks

Units (Qtr)

Units (Sem)

UCEAP Fees 1

Additional Costs 2(Estimated)

Fall

TBD

22.5 - 22.5

15 - 15

$18,850

$4,200

Spring

TBD

22.5 - 22.5

15 - 15

$18,000

$4,650

* Estimates do not include Miscellaneous Campus Fees or, if applicable, Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition, Graduate or Professional Fees. If you are subject to out-of-state tuition at your UC campus, you will pay Non-Resident Fees on UCEAP.

1UCEAP Fees: This represents an estimate of UCEAP fees for the current year. Actual amounts will vary due to potential changes to UC fees, exchange rate fluctuation, etc. This figure includes UC tuition and fees for undergraduate, in-state residents. For a detailed breakdown of what’s included in this estimate, visit the Participants Portal and select the appropriate program. Non-Resident Fees apply: If you are subject to out-of-state tuition at your UC campus, you will pay non-resident fees on UCEAP.

2Additional Costs: Average living expenses include but are not limited to room and board, transportation, books, supplies, and other incidentals and do not include recreational travel or entertainment. The total cost will vary depending on your personal expenses, exchange rate fluctuation, and the program you attend. For a detailed breakdown of the estimate, visit the “Cost” tab of the appropriate program.

All fees are subject to change without notice.

MiscFees

ScholarshipOpportunities

MiscInfo

GenericMainTop

Eligibility

Class Level:

Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate

Language Prerequisites:

None

GPA:

2.50 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure.

All applicants must also have:

Social, interpersonal, and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; willingness to adapt successfully to different living and academic environments; appropriate behavior in a variety of situations.

A willingness to abide by program regulations.

Completed all campus- and program-specific requirements and be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

Application Information and Deadlines

Important: If you are planning to participate in back to back study abroad programs (with UCEAP or any other organization), you must notify your campus study abroad office. There are important things to consider when participating in consecutive programs, such as program dates and visa requirements. Not all program combinations are possible.

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office. Supplemental pre-departure materials will be required for many programs, including, but not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

For participation in the program, you must meet all deadlines and submit complete application materials.

​​

These are minimum requirements. Your Campus EAP Office determines selection and final admission.